Device and Method for Storing Articles

ABSTRACT

A device for storing articles on a tool, such as a gripper tool, allowing for subsequent use of the gripper without having to first discard or remotely store the article(s). The device may consist of a storage container, tubular support member, sealer/compactor, and ejector. The arm of a tool moves axially inside the inner diameter of the tubular member. The same tubular member allows for the container to slide axially on the outer diameter. The container and gripper tool&#39;s relative motion enables gripped articles to be moved into and out of the container thru the containers compliant pass-thru end. The seal/compactor is attached to the gripper side of the tool and manipulates the article for compaction within the container and seals the container pass-thru end to prevent loss of articles. The same relative motion of the container and the tubular member allows for the ejector to push articles through the pass-thru end, and out of the container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/077,993 filed 14 Sep. 2020, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, TABLE, COMPUTER PROGRAME

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

Handheld mobile gripping/manipulating devices, such as a gripper tool, are designed to pick up a discrete article and deposit the article to some other location. In many situations, such as refuse pick up, for example, the mobile nature of the tool requires a separate waste container to accompany the tool for depositing of the refuse, or one must bring the refuse to a remote waste container for depositing.

In the case where a waste container accompanies the tool, the operator must carry this container typically by hand, tying up both hands—one for the tool and one for the waste container.

In the case of a stationary waste container, the tool becomes useless until the operator moves to the location of a waste container for depositing the article—which then frees up the tool for use again. Presently there is no solution for storing articles on-board a gripping/manipulating device.

SUMMARY

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem by attaching a container to the arm of a gripping/manipulating device for the storage of articles. The device allows for deposit of multiple articles into the container, freeing up the tool for subsequent use. The device stores the articles and can eject the articles at a later time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating a device for storing articles according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an assembled view illustrating a device for storing articles according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a device for storing articles according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a device for storing articles according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a device for storing articles according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the embodiments may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural changes may be made, without departing from the scope of the various embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure.

Embodiments described herein generally relate to devices and methods for storing articles. Embodiments of the devices and methods for storing articles may include a container having a distal end for accepting articles, a structural member movably affixed to the container, and an ejector positioned within the container and affixed to the structural member for pushing articles out of the container. The devices and methods may also include a seal for sealing the container. The seal may be configured to compact articles in the container. It should be appreciated that devices and methods for storing articles on a tool are likewise applicable to other configurations, in addition to that described above.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the device illustrating each component/feature, designated a thru f. Component (a) is a rigid tubular structure with a smooth straight cylindrical outer surface and a smooth straight cylindrical inner surface; Ejector (b) is a rigid material with a flat or convex shaped face on one end for pushing articles out of the container (c), and a tubular adapter on the other end which is secured to the tube component (a), and allowing feed thru of a gripper arm; Component (c) is a container, preferably transparent. The cylindrical end cap (d) side of the container is tube shaped to accept and axially slide over the outer surface of tube (a). The Feed-thru end cap (e) side of the container are compliant fringes that allow for the pass thru of Seal/Compactor (f) and the gripper fingers of the gripper tool, with or without gripped articles; Seal/compactor (f) has a complaint flat or convex shaped face on one end for manipulating and compacting articles in the container, and an adapter end for securing to the gripper end of the tool.

FIG. 2 is an assembly view of the device according to an embodiment of the invention. The components are typically made of plastic and produced by either injection mold, extrusion or blow mold processes. The container is preferably transparent to enable the user to view the contents. The pass-through opening of the container can be fabricated from pliable plastic fringes, compliant rubber strands, bristles, or hinged leafs.

FIG. 3 is an assembly view of the device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this view a gripper tool is inserted through tube (a) and in a position to grasp an article. Additionally, in FIG. 3, the Seal/Compactor (f) is permanently attached to the gripper end of the gripper tool and the Ejector (b) is permanently attached to the end of tube (a).

FIG. 4 is an assembly view of the device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates how an article that is gripped by a gripper tool is pulled into the container. Tube (a) of FIG. 4 supports the container (c) and allows the gripper tool to slide axially—drawing the article into the container through end (e). The container is not rigidly affixed to tube (a), rather its tubular end is designed to slide along the exterior of tube (a).

FIG. 5 illustrates how pushing tube (a) threw the cylindrical end cap (d) of the container in turn pushes Ejector (b) and any articles with it through the compliant end (e) and out of the container. In FIG. 5, the tube and attached ejector are pushed through the container, carrying the articles with it. The compliant end of the container (e) is pushed open by ejector (b), and the articles are expelled.

The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative, and not restrictive. The present disclosure is in no way limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Various modifications and changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for storing articles comprising: a container having a distal end for accepting articles; a structural member movably affixed to the container; and an ejector positioned within the container and affixed to the structural member for pushing articles out of the container.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a seal for sealing the container.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the seal is configured to compact articles in the container. 